Westminster Announces Top 10 Opportunity Quest Finalists

College's annual business plan competition narrows down the race to the top 10 contestantsSALT LAKE CITY - Westminster's Center for Entrepreneurship has narrowed down its contestant pool for the 2012-13 Opportunity Quest business plan contest to 10 finalists. From businesses that focus on high-end fashion and art, to those that aim to help society, this year's Opportunity Quest has a myriad of unique business plan ideas.
"We are very excited to see such creative business ideas come across our campus this year," said Linda Muir, director of Westminster's Center for Entrepreneurship. "Westminster encourages its students to learn how to take concepts, validate market opportunities and develop sound business models."
Opportunity Quest is a business innovation competition that is open to all students at Westminster. The competition fosters and promotes business growth at the college and university level by giving students a chance to organize, direct and present a business idea to a panel of judges.
The top 10 finalists were selected from a group of 26 contestants. In January, they will make their final presentations to a panel of judges who will decide the competition winners. The first place team will receive a cash prize of $5,000, and will automatically be entered as a finalist in the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge where they will compete against teams from schools throughout the state. Cash prizes of $2,000 and $1,000 will be awarded for 2nd and 3rd place teams. This year, Westminster is also launching a new category dedicated to "Social Entrepreneurship" with a grand prize of $2,000.
This year's Opportunity Quest winners will be announced at the final awards ceremony on Jan. 25, 2013.
The 2012-13 Opportunity Quest Top 10 finalists are:
Social Category Finalists

Company Name

Company Overview

Daakye
(Team Leader: Abby Speicher)

Through Daakye, Abby Speicher contracts with Ghanaian seamstresses to create purses which are then sold in the United States. Daakye's profits go to provide scholarships to kids in Ghana.

Harmony Autism Center
(Team Leader: Karlie Harmon)

Karlie, hopes to build a facility for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; the facility would help children develop sensory skills, release stored energy and introduce new social and behavioral skills.

Sugar Doodle Kids
(Team Leader: Nick Whatcott)

Sugar Doodle Kids is a company which sells children's sleepwear, the designs of which are from children and artists. A portion of the company's profits go to help hungry children.

General Category Finalists

Company Name

Company Overview

Art Addic
(Team Leader: Michael Odernheimer)

ArtAddic is an online community which allows artists to create and maintain digital portfolios, give and receive feedback and exposure.

Auto Source
(Team Leader: Jeremy Baker)

Auto Source is a web-based dealer management software system for small to mid-sized independent automotive dealers to manage their companies.

Daakye
(Team Leader: Abby Speicher)

Through Daakye, Abby Speicher contracts with Ghanaian seamstresses to create purses which are then sold in the United States. Daakye's profits go to provide scholarships to kids in Ghana.

Good Dog Brewing
(Team Leader: David Pang)

Good Dog Brewing is a registered independent craft brewery in Utah which brews ales and lagers while partnering with pet organizations to help ensure each pet has a home.

Harmony Autism Center
(Team Leader: Karlie Harmon)

Karlie, hopes to build a facility for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; the facility would help children develop sensory skills, release stored energy and introduce new social and behavioral skills.

Liyen
(Team Leader: Chris Ciancone)

Liyen is a company that creates 'life devices;' currently they are working to sell their inhaler device, Slyder, which is a spacer that serves as a carrying container for the inhaler.

Moda Culture
(Team Leader: Meindert Kooistra)

ModaCulture is an American luxury fashion, shoe and accessory platform - providing high-end international fashion label

Munin
(Team Leader: Oeyvind Sandengen)

Munin is an online community where adventure motorists can access comprehensive resources in various communities.

Sugar Doodle Kids
(Team Leader: Nick Whatcott)

Sugar Doodle Kids is a company which sells children's sleepwear, the designs of which are from children and artists. A portion of the company's profits go to help hungry children.

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About Westminster

Westminster is a private, independent, and comprehensive college in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students experience the liberal arts blended with professional programs in an atmosphere dedicated to civic engagement. With the goal of enabling its graduates to live vibrant, just, and successful lives, Westminster provides transformational learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students in a truly student-centered environment. Faculty focus on teaching, learning, and developing distinctive, innovative programs, while students thrive on Westminster’s urban Sugar House campus within minutes of the Rocky Mountains.